Extract Question about how Bertha Mason is presented
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Course
AS Unit 1 - Prose and Drama
Institution
WJEC
- Full extract with quotes highlighted in yellow, followed by my answer to the question with detailed analysis of language to explore how meaning is shaped (AO1 and 2)
Read the following extract from chapter 26 and answer the question that follows
He lifted the hangings from the wall, uncovering the second door: this, too, he opened. In a
room without a window, there burnt a fire guarded by a high and strong fender, and a lamp
suspended from the ceiling by a chain. Grace Poole bent over the fire, apparently cooking
something in a saucepan. In the deep shade, at the farther end of the room, a figure ran
backwards and forwards. What it was, whether beast or human being, one could not, at first
sight, tell: it grovelled, seemingly, on all fours; it snatched and growled like some strange
wild animal: but it was covered with clothing, and a quantity of dark, grizzled hair, wild as a
mane, hid its head and face.
"Good-morrow, Mrs. Poole!" said Mr. Rochester. "How are you? and how is your charge
to-day?"
"We're tolerable, sir, I thank you," replied Grace, lifting the boiling mess carefully on to
the hob: "rather snappish, but not 'rageous."
A fierce cry seemed to give the lie to her favourable report: the clothed hyena rose up, and
stood tall on its hind-feet.
"Ah! sir, she sees you!" exclaimed Grace: "you'd better not stay."
"Only a few moments, Grace: you must allow me a few moments."
"Take care then, sir!--for God's sake, take care!"
The maniac bellowed: she parted her shaggy locks from her visage, and gazed wildly at
her visitors. I recognised well that purple face,--those bloated features. Mrs. Poole
advanced.
"Keep out of the way," said Mr. Rochester, thrusting her aside: "she has no knife now, I
suppose, and I'm on my guard."
"One never knows what she has, sir: she is so cunning: it is not in mortal discretion to fathom
her craft."
We had better leave her," whispered Mason.
"Go to the devil!" was his brother-in-law's recommendation.
"'Ware!" cried Grace. The three gentlemen retreated simultaneously. Mr. Rochester flung me
behind him: the lunatic sprang and grappled his throat viciously, and laid her teeth to his
cheek: they struggled. She was a big woman, in stature almost equalling her husband, and
corpulent besides: she showed virile force in the contest--more than once she almost throttled
him, athletic as he was. He could have settled her with a well-planted blow; but he would not
strike: he would only wrestle. At last he mastered her arms; Grace Poole gave him a cord, and
he pinioned them behind her: with more rope, which was at hand, he bound her to a chair.
The operation was performed amidst the fiercest yells and the most convulsive plunges. Mr.
Rochester then turned to the spectators: he looked at them with a smile both acrid and
desolate.
"That is MY WIFE," said he. "Such is the sole conjugal embrace I am ever to know--such are
the endearments which are to solace my leisure hours! And THIS is what I wished to have"
(laying his hand on my shoulder): "this young girl, who stands so grave and quiet at the
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